University of Delaware Institute for Global Studies
Winter 2024: Florida SCUBA - MAST

Program Dates January 12, 2024 - January 28, 2024
This program is closed.

Program Overview The crystal clear, 72 degree waters of the Florida springs offer an ideal training environment for SCUBA diving classes in January. Students will enjoy SCUBA diving in this unique freshwater environment and have the opportunity to participate in a manatee encounter.

Based at the Blue Grotto in Williston, FL (about 90 minutes north of Tampa and 90 minutes NW of Orlando), students will have the opportunity to obtain their Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification (MAST 232) and American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Scientific Diver Certification (MAST 410). Additionally, students will also have an opportunity to participate in a manatee encounter and observe ethical eco-tourism. Students will learn advanced buoyancy skills, night diving, deep diving, underwater navigation, search & recovery, data collection techniques, observe ethical eco-tourism, be introduced to rescue diving skills, and more! We will have a beach bar-b-que at the Gulf of Mexico (weather dependent).

Students will reside at the Blue Grotto in Willistion, FL. This is a gender-segregated cabin-style residence with meals available on-site.

Students completing MAST 132 in the Fall need not wait until Spring Semester to take their Open Water Certification dives in PA or VA lakes. They can enroll, for an extra fee, complete their certification in the No. FL springs, and continue into MAST 232 for their Advanced Certification and MAST 410 for their Scientific Diver rating. These two courses are essential for Marine Science & Environmental Science majors wishing to conduct research underwater. Non-majors will find these courses extremely useful in recreational diving, make them safer and more confident divers, and broaden their available experiences as they venture into the underwater world.

Requirements: Students who have not completed MAST 132 must show proof of SCUBA certification from an internationally recognized certification agency.

ACCESSIBILITY: Participants with disabilities should know that accessibility and accommodation in some program locations may differ from the United States. Transit systems and legacy building construction practices may not meet U.S. accessibility standards, and alternative access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites cannot be guaranteed. But UD students with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to study abroad. Review these questions with the Office of Disability Support Services to determine whether this program can meet your accommodation needs.

Courses: Students must enroll in all credit-bearing courses for a grade. Only the UNIV (zero credit) course may be taken pass/fail. Audit registration is not permitted on UD Travel Study. Please refer to the University Catalog to verify requirements and prerequisites. All students must enroll in at least 6 credits, as well as the 0-credit UNIV course. Students will be enrolled in both courses for six credits.
MAST 232-070: Advanced Open Water SCUBA (3 credits)
MAST 410-070: Scientific Diving (3 credits)


Program Costs:

How much does it cost?.
Delaware ResidentNon-Delaware Resident
Final Tuition based on current year$2,633.00$7,065.00
Final Program Fee$2,750.00$2,750.00
UD Registration & Activities Fee$0.00$0.00
Total to be charged to UD account $5,383.00$9,815.00
Plus Airfare Estimate (purchased separately)$(TBD)$(TBD)

The rates above may not apply to you if you are a UD graduate student during the time you are studying abroad. Please refer to http://www1.udel.edu/finaid/rates.html for the appropriate rates.


When and how do I pay?
If you are offered acceptance to the program, you will have 3 days to withdraw without financial penalty. After the 3 days have passed, you will be officially accepted to the program, and IGS will post the full Program Fee and Tuition/Fees to your UD student account.

*All students will receive an email when they are accepted to a program and will have 10 days from that notification to make their $0.00 Initial Payment.


Contact Information:
Michael Birns
Faculty Director
Marine Studies
mbirns@udel.edu



Deadlines:
Submit Program Application by 5pm on September 20, 2023
Recommendation also due by 5pm on September 20, 2023
Acceptance and Scholarship Announced: September 27, 2023



Interest Meetings:


Program information is subject to change at any time. Please check this web site periodically for updates.